Share This Article
ANUJA KHUSHU
The National Conference (NC) is showing signs of internal turbulence that could reshape its future. The recent public clash between Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah drew attention not just to personal differences, but to deeper ideological and strategic fault lines within the party.
The skirmish signals tension over leadership style, governance priorities, and the party’s adherence to its founding promises, a high-stakes challenge at a time when the NC faces crucial electoral battles.
Ruhullah has openly accused Abdullah of failing to deliver on core manifesto commitments, including the restoration of Article 370, statehood for Jammu & Kashmir, and protection of reservation rights. He insists that his criticism is rooted in loyalty to the party’s ideological core rather than personal ambition, arguing that the leadership has veered from the NC’s traditional path by cozying up to the central government. His reference to “shawls and bouquets” has emerged as a symbolic critique of political compromise over principle.
Omar Abdullah’s response underscored selective tolerance toward internal dissent. While the Chief Minister appeared receptive to advice from senior NC MP Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi, he drew a sharp distinction between Altaf and Ruhullah, implying that not all criticism is treated equally.
This selective acknowledgment has intensified perceptions of favouritism within party ranks and fuelled Ruhullah’s resolve to publicly highlight governance gaps and unfulfilled manifesto commitments.
The timing of this public disagreement compounds its impact. With the Budgam Assembly by-election underway, Ruhullah’s disengagement from campaign activities, combined with his pointed critiques over cross-voting allegations and perceived lack of transparency, poses a direct challenge to the NC’s electoral strategy.
Analysts note that opposition parties are likely to exploit the visible fractures, portraying the NC as distracted and internally divided, potentially undermining voter confidence in the party’s capacity to govern effectively.
At its core, the rift reflects a broader tension between pragmatic governance and ideological fidelity. The leadership, constrained by Jammu & Kashmir’s Union Territory status and limited devolved powers, has prioritized political stability, incremental progress, and engagement with the central government.
By contrast, vocal figures like Ruhullah advocate a bolder, uncompromising stance on autonomy, statehood restoration, and protection of Kashmiri identity. The disagreement is thus not just about personalities, it is about the vision and direction of the party in a politically sensitive region.
Public sentiment adds another layer of complexity. Ruhullah’s supporters have taken to the streets, signaling that the rift is no longer confined to party corridors. Such public demonstrations amplify the stakes: the NC risks appearing fragmented at a time when cohesion is critical for both governance and electoral prospects.
The party’s ideological stance, especially on sensitive issues like Article 370 and local autonomy, remains under scrutiny from voters who expect both principle and action.
The internal dispute also highlights a generational and strategic shift. Omar Abdullah, representing the party’s experienced leadership, is seen as cautious, preferring measured engagement and incremental reforms.
Ruhullah embodies a younger, more assertive voice, emphasising urgency, accountability, and adherence to NC’s historic principles. This clash reflects the broader challenge faced by legacy political parties: balancing institutional continuity with the pressures of evolving public expectations.
For the NC, the implications are significant. If internal differences are reconciled through dialogue and visible governance gains, the party could reinforce its image of unity and ideological clarity, strengthening its campaign ahead of the Budgam by-election.
However, if public dissent persists and factionalism deepens, the NC risks eroding voter confidence, diminishing electoral mobilization, and ceding space to opposition parties eager to exploit internal divisions.
Beyond immediate electoral consequences, the rift underscores the NC’s broader challenge in Jammu & Kashmir: delivering on promises of autonomy, identity protection, and socio-economic development under constrained governance powers.
The handling of this conflict will influence not only the party’s short-term political fortunes but also its credibility as a defender of the region’s distinct political and cultural identity.
(Author is Editor,The Chancellor)
